“Cyrus may be my Keeper, but he’s not my boss.” I frowned at my roommate. “The issue with going out comes down to whether or not it’s worth getting out of my sweatpants.”
“Oh, Evie. It’s always worth it.” Joey wiggled his eyebrows at me until I started laughing. He gave me a smile before brushing his knuckle under my chin. “Good to hear that sound again.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I swung my legs off the couch to stand with a stretch. “Let me go change. We can get something downtown.”
Joey picked up the remote from the coffee table with a sigh. “Fine. I’ll see you in an hour or so.”
“Shut up.” I responded, but there was no bite in my voice. Joey was like a brother to me. I didn’t have the heart to hurt his feelings. “I’ll only be a few minutes.”
He didn’t respond when I moved down the hallway towards my bedroom. Joey was right when he said I hadn’t been laughing much lately. Truth was, I didn’t have a reason to. My ex had murdered my parents, after all. Then, there was the fight to take him and his patron goddess down. I swallowed my tears back as I slowed my steps. Elliot’s funeral had taken place just yesterday. And though I knew it was in my best interest for him to have passed on, losing him still hurt like hell.
I had loved him. Cherished our friendship. But that was before he turned against me. Now, as I tried to hold onto the anger I had towards him, I found there was nothing but guilt. I couldn’t shake the belief that I could have saved him from Hera. I could have saved him from the darkness of his soul.
Somehow.
I shook my head when I reached my room. I had cried myself to sleep the night before over those thoughts. And Cyrus was right when he told me Elliot had chosen his own fate. There was nothing I could have done to stop it.
“Straight to the bedroom, mon ami? I like it.”
I froze at the sound of a woman’s voice filtering through my door. Who the hell? I narrowed my eyes when I heard another voice respond. This one made my heart skip a beat every time I heard it.
“Stop talking. You will be respectful.”
Cyrus didn’t sound happy. I raised an eyebrow as I turned the doorknob. The last woman my keeper had brought to my condo had been Kassandra, the prophetess of Troy. So to say I was curious about the newcomer was an understatement. I opened the door to see my beloved facing a slender black woman who looked as irritated as he did.
“What’s all this fuss about?”
I leaned against the door frame as the two of them whirled around to stare at me. Cyrus’ face broke out into my favorite grin as the woman threw a scowl my way. Cyrus crossed the room in less than three steps before he bowed his head in my direction. Another move that raised my curiosity. That meant we were in the presence of someone who would object to our relationship.
As if I gave a damn. I took his hand and squeezed it.
“Glad to see you made it home, Keeper.” I gave him a soft smile. “Care to introduce your friend to me?”
“Friend.” The woman snorted. “I don’t think that covers it, sweetheart.”
I glared at her when Cyrus took my arm. He led me over to the overstuffed chair by my closet to lower me down in it.
“Eva, meet Dominque Breaux. She is going to be your second Keeper.”
“I don’t need a second keeper.” I let my words come out slow. Careful. As if I were talking to a second grader instead of the man I loved. “I have you.”
“Little One,” Cyrus sighed when he ran his hand through his dark hair. “The threats against you have escalated since Hera’s banishment. Apollo thought it best…”
“By the very gods.” Dominque cut in. “Is she so simple you can’t just tell her the truth?”
Cyrus whirled around to throw a deadly stare at the woman. I did nothing but narrow my eyes at her.
“What are you talking about?”
“Your darling Keeper has been promoted.” She plopped down on my bed. “He’s going to be spending more time in Olympus thanks to Zeus’ decree that he train the troops.”
“Is that true?” I focused on Cyrus. “You’ve been promoted?”
“Yes.” Cyrus let the word out between gritted teeth. “But Apollo has seen to it that I will remain as your Keeper. Dominque will be present when I am unable to stay by your side.”
“So I’ve got a new babysitter.” I nodded. “And you didn’t want to tell me.”
“Eva, that’s not the case.”
“No, I get it.” I stood up. “Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t need a guard, Cyrus. You know that. Hell, everyone knows that. So take Little Miss Sunshine back where you found her.”
“Listen here, Princess…”
“Little One, sit down for a second.” Cyrus caught my arm with one hand while holding the other one out towards the girl on my bed. “Hold your tongue, Breaux.”
The woman rolled her eyes to the ceiling, but she did what she was told. I, however, did not. I crossed my arms over my chest and frowned.
“Don’t tell me what to do, Cyrus.”
“This is in your best interest, Eva.” Cyrus rubbed my arm as he explained. “The Council has given me your first assignment as their representative.”
Oh, yeah. That.
See, I had been promoted as well. I had been so successful in bringing Apollo new followers through my television show that the Council of Olympus thought I could represent the whole damn pantheon. I had accepted their offer not three weeks before.
If I was honest, I would say I’m surprised it took them this long to throw me to the wolves. The group had seemed a little too eager to have me as their new poster girl in the first place.
“Let me guess. Go in. Slaughter the bad guy. Look good doing it?” I relaxed under his touch. “I don’t need a babysitter to do that, Cy.”
“No,” My beloved chuckled. “I suppose not. But having an extra fighter by your side never hurts, right? You saw how well things went with Rowe and the 11th Percent.”
Touché.
I fell back down into the chair as I considered his words. I had met the group of super humans who could use their auras as a weapon when I went to Rome, North Carolina to shoot an episode of Grave Messages. One massive fight and Hera’s defeat later, I had gained more than a victory.
I had gained an extension of my small family. Jonah Rowe and his friends did more than save me from the horrible goddess. They saved me from the darkness of isolation. And I would be forever grateful to them for that.
“When will you leave?” I studied my hands when I asked the next question. “How long do I have you with me?”
“Three days.” Cyrus leaned down to my level. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Then I will return to you as soon as Apollo allows it.”
“And I have no choice in the matter?” I closed my eyes at his touch. “What exactly is your promotion about, Cyrus?”
I wanted to ask him why. Why now when I needed him the most to keep me sane. To keep my thoughts away from the guilt I felt over Elliot’s demise. But I was proud of myself. I didn’t blubber. I didn’t beg him to stay. Instead, I opened my eyes when he answered.
“I am now the Supreme Commander of the Olympian Legion.” Cyrus dropped his hand to my knee. “The Council felt I was the best at teaching their soldiers the Greek way of fighting.”
“Don’t they already know that?” I frowned. “Can’t they pull somebody else from the Underworld to do their dirty work?”
“Apparently not.” My beloved sighed. “And no, neither of us have a choice in this matter because...”
"We can’t defy the gods.” I finished for him when I glanced over at Dominque. “And I don’t get a choice in my new Keeper either?”
“Nope.” She threw a smug smile at me. “You’re stuck with me.”
“Fine.” I huffed. “Let’s go get Joey. Looks like his plans to go out tonight just got derailed.”
“Who’s Joey?” The woman jumped to her feet. “A friend of yours?”
“Yes. And my
roommate.” I let Cyrus lift me up. I called out as I exited the bedroom. “Joey! Cy is back.”
“Good.” My friend responded. “Maybe he can put a fire under your butt to finish…”
His voice trailed off when he saw the three of us. Joey dropped the remote with a whistle. “Hello.”
“Joey, meet…what’s your name again?” I put my hands on my hips. “Oh, right. Dominique. She’s my new Keeper.”
“Ok.” Joey breathed. “Did you get fired or something, Cy? Cause if you did, that would royally suck.”
“No.” Cyrus shook his head. “It’s a long story, Joey. One I’m sure Eva will tell you the moment she is able. For now, I need to talk to you both about your next location for Grave Messages.”
“Whatcha got?” Joey grinned and leaned forward to rub his hands together. “An asylum? A haunted funhouse?”
“The Hoia-Baciu Forest.” My keeper began to pace when I took a seat on the sofa. “A forest just outside of Cluj-Napoca, Romania.”
“A haunted forest?” I frowned. “That’s hitting too close to home, Stick. I didn’t have much luck last time we went to a forest, remember?”
“Romania is not Montana, Little One.” Cyrus frowned. “The country was cursed with fables of vampires. But there is so much more to that land than you could ever imagine. To go to Hoia-Baciu could be a death sentence to a mortal.”
I paled. I know I did. I glanced over at Joey who responded to my look with a shrug. His expression was one of pure determination. There was no way I could talk him out of going. No matter how serious the threat could be against him.
“Ok.” I nodded. “So Dominique can help guard Joey. We’ll make the crew small. Me and Joey. You and Dominque.”
“What about Jaclyn?” Joey piped up. “You promised she could go on the next location.”
I groaned out loud. Jaclyn Williams was my personal assistant and a stanch disbeliever in anything paranormal. She had her one god. That was it. So when she demanded I let her come with us on the next location, I had agreed.
“Maybe I can talk her out of coming with us.” I gave Joey a small smile. “I’ll just play up how dangerous it is.”
“Do what you can, Little One.” Cyrus broke in. “I may not be with you for this shoot.”
“Tell me more about the ghosts.” I ignored his words. I couldn’t stand the thought of being parted with him. But to hear Cyrus say it? I think my heart broke a little. “I want to hear all the gory details, Cy. Then we’re going to call Connor and get the boys in Research to find out the rest.”
I had to focus on the show. I had to focus on my duties to my pantheon. If Cyrus wasn’t going to be with me, I had to distract myself somehow.
A haunted forest may just be the answer I was looking for.
Chapter Two
For the first time since I'd known him, Cyrus looked uneasy. His beautiful features were twisted in a grimace as he paced the rug in front of the sofa. I tapped my fingers against my knee as I waited for him to speak. When he didn't, I reached up to grab his arm.
"Cyrus, come on. It can't be that bad."
"No." He sighed. "The forest itself is horrifying, but there is a reason why the Council wishes you to go there. It's not because of ghosts, Eva."
Eva. He rarely called me that these days, so I sat up a little straighter. I ignored the sudden pang of anxiety and took a breath. We could do this. We could face anything the gods could throw at me.
Couldn't we?
"Ok. So tell me." I tugged on his hand. "Seriously, Cy, you're making me nervous."
My keeper gave me a small smile before he released my hand. "The beginning?"
I nodded. "As good of a place to start as any."
"Hoia-Baciu Forest is located in the Transylvania region of Romania. It has become famous with paranormal enthusiasts recently.” Cyrus ran his hand through his dark hair. “It is often seen as an easy location to snap photographs of orbs. Or catch the voices of the dead on film. There is also a clearing in the midst of the forest where the foliage will not grow.”
“Ok.” I shrugged. “So what’s so damned bad about this place? Are you afraid I will get lost?”
Cyrus’ mouth became a tight straight line before he responded. “No, dear girl. The occurrences at Hoia-Baciu are not due to the paranormal as these enthusiasts claim. It is located on top of Tartarus.”
“Tartarus?” I frowned. “The dungeon I keep getting threatened with?”
“The very same.” This time, my beloved pinched the bridge of his nose between two fingers. “On the outskirts of the clearing is the entrance to the infamous place. It has been sealed for centuries, but the barriers are being manipulated.”
“Which means, what exactly?” Joey this time. My friend leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “Manipulated doesn’t mean broken, does it?”
“Not yet.” Cyrus shook his head. “But if they are weakened, then the greatest threat to the Council will be freed upon the world.”
“Yeah.” I snorted. “All the gods and people and creatures they cast down below could get their comeuppance. That doesn’t sound so bad. That sounds like a long overdue dose of karma.”
“Evie, no.” Cyrus shook his head. “You must understand as the representative of Olympus, you would be targeted by these beings.”
“Not to mention the Titans.”
I whipped my head around to see Dominique had planted herself against the far wall. She was studying her fingernails when she responded. She must have felt my eyes on her because she frowned at me.
“Oh, come on! You have to know the story of the Titans.”
“I’ve heard of them.” I turned my attention to Cyrus. “That’s the group that Zeus overthrew to gain his throne, right?”
“Right.” Cyrus must have decided to ignore our newest companion since he didn’t respond to her outburst. “Shall I tell you the story?”
“Don’t you always?” I gave him a small smile, but I couldn’t ignore the knot forming in the pit of my stomach. I’d defeated the Erinyes out of my concern for Elliot. Hera? She had pissed me off. I had no idea what I was going to do against a group of gods if they were freed from their eternal prison. “After all, you are much easier to listen to than an audiobook.”
Dominique snorted. Joey studied Cyrus as if my keeper had the answers to the mysteries of life. Perhaps, he did. As for me, I folded my legs beneath me and settled in for what I was sure would be a long monologue.
Cyrus didn’t disappoint me. He perched on the sofa arm closest to me when he began to speak.
“Our world was created by two primary deities. Gaia, who is still celebrated today as Mother Earth and Uranus the father of the sky. During their marriage, they bore twelve children.” Cyrus clasped his hands together in his lap. “A marriage that went well enough until Uranus cast two of their children into Tartarus. Gaia was so angry, she enlisted her youngest son to castrate her husband.”
“Ow.” Joey winced. “Can we skip that part? Or do I need to leave the room while you go into the gory details?”
“Wimp.” I teased. I squeezed my beloved’s arm. “Go ahead, Stick.”
“I’m afraid Cronos was successful. He waited in ambush with a sickle when his father met up with Gaia. I will only say that the result of his actions was the complete overthrow of Uranus.” Cyrus caught my hand to link our fingers together. “The former King of the Titans cursed his son. He swore that Cronos would experience the same fate. His children would overthrow him to rule the heavens. The Titan became so paranoid of the curse that he swallowed each of his children as soon as he could.”
“That can’t be right.” I shifted on the couch to face Cyrus. “Zeus, remember?”
“Ah, but our history is full of trickery, dear girl.” My keeper gave me a soft smile. “Cronos had married Rhea, his sister. When it came time for the Titan to eat her youngest child, she hid the babe. She gave her husband a rock instead. The young Zeus was masqueraded in his mother’s court. When h
e came of age, he gave his father a poison mixture that caused him to expel the children he had swallowed so many years before.”
“Um, on second thought, I’m with Joey. I don’t think I can stomach hearing this story. It’s too graphic.” I raised my eyebrows towards Cyrus. “I take it that this is how Zeus was able to lead the rebellion.”
“It is.” Cyrus sighed. “Cronos had very powerful allies, but Zeus had the fire of revenge on his side. He enlisted his siblings. He freed the Cyclopes and the Hekatonkhieras. It was through the Cyclopes that the brothers were granted their infamous weapons. Zeus, his lightning bolts. Poseidon? His trident. Hades? His helmet. It was a brutal war. The Titanomachy decimated both the earth and the heavens over the ten years it was waged.”
“But in the end, Zeus was victorious.” I pointed out. “The Titans imprisoned in Tartarus.”
I let my last words die when I realized what Cyrus was telling me. The Council’s greatest threat was on the verge of being freed. The war which tore the world apart would be waged once more.
“No.” I stood up and took two steps back with my hands up. “Cyrus, no.”
“Little One…”
“No. It’s too much. I can’t fight against the Titans. I can’t handle the fate of the world. Tell them to find another way to secure the barriers.”
“Eva,” Cyrus stood up to take hold of my shoulders. He gave me a gentle shake. “Breathe, Little One. Breathe.”
“I can’t,” I didn’t even try to hide the fear behind my words when another piece of the puzzle fell into place. “That’s why you were promoted. They knew I would fail. The Council is preparing for war.”
“No.” Cyrus raised his eyebrows as he stared into my eyes. “You will not fail in this, Little One. You will find a way to secure the barrier. I have every faith in you.”
“The Council didn’t happen to mention how to secure the barrier, did they?”
I gritted my teeth together before I said anything else. Especially something I would regret. I jerked away from Cyrus and headed straight to the kitchen. To my surprise, no one followed me. I opened the refrigerator, pulled out the bottle of wine I had been saving for Cyrus return, and popped the cork.
The Daughter (The Oracle Series Book 6) Page 2